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There’s a quiet truth about success that doesn’t get talked about enough: most peopleThe people of Jamaica embody a spirit that is at once richly diverse and unbreakably unified, as captured by the nationa... don’t start out knowing what they’re doing. They start out willing to figure it out.
That distinction matters.
“Figuring it out” isn’t about talent or background. It’s about persistence. It’s about refusing to stop just because something feels unfamiliar, uncomfortable, or slower than expected. The people who get where they want to go aren’t necessarily smarter or more experienced — they’re simply more determined to stay in the process.
The Myth of “Knowing What You’re Doing”
We often assume that successful people had a plan from the beginning. In reality, many started with very little technical knowledge and learned by trial, error, and sheer stubbornness.
The learning curve is rarely neat. Things break. Advice conflicts. Experts disagree. Progress stalls. But the people who succeed don’t interpret these moments as signs to stop — they see them as part of the deal.
Challenges aren’t a warning sign. They’re proof you’re doing something real.
Why Challenges Create Momentum
Some people shut down when things get difficult. Others feel their energy rise.
When you genuinely want something, obstacles don’t drain you — they activate you. You feel more alert. More focused. More invested. Each problem becomes something to solve rather than something to escape.
That mindset changes everything.
Defeat is only possible if quitting is on the table. If it’s not, then every setbackA setback is a regulatory term used in real estate to specify the minimum distance that a building must be positioned fr... is temporary.
You Can’t Win Without a Destination
One of the biggest mistakes people make is working hard without knowing exactly where they’re going.
Effort without direction feels exhausting. Direction gives effort meaning.
That’s why planningPlanning in Jamaica involves managing land, resources, and infrastructure to support economic growth, social development... matters — not vague intentions, but real numbers and real timelines. Not just where you want to finish, but where momentum needs to carry into the next phase. Some wins don’t show up on schedule. Some deals close late. Some efforts pay off after the year ends.
Smart planning accounts for that.
If your target is tight, your activity has to be wider. You don’t aim for the minimum and hope everything goes perfectly. You build in margin, knowing some things won’t landIn real estate, land is a foundational element that significantly impacts the value and potential of a property. It enco... when you expect them to.
New Doesn’t Mean Behind
There’s a comforting lie people tell themselves: “I’m still new.”
But experience alone doesn’t produce results. Intention does.
There’s no automatic link between being seasoned and being successful. A newcomer with clarity, hunger, and consistency can outperform someone who’s been around for years but is running on habit.
The difference is never time served — it’s commitmentIn Jamaican real estate, commitment refers to the dedication and assurance from buyers, sellers, or agents to fulfill th....
Excuses Are Easy. Progress Is a Choice.
The world willIn Jamaica, a will is a legal document created by an individual to specify how their assets, including their belongings ... always provide reasons not to succeed.
Economic uncertainty. Global events. Weather. Market shifts. Personal circumstances. All real. All valid. All available as excuses.
But optimism isn’t about pretending challenges don’t exist. It’s about choosing to work through them anyway. Some people see disruption and retreat. Others see opportunity and adapt.
Both groups face the same conditions. Only one group moves forward.
Accountability Changes Outcomes
Plans don’t work in isolation. People do.
Progress accelerates when goals are spoken out loud, reviewed regularly, and measured honestly. Checking in monthly isn’t pressure — it’s alignment. It’s the difference between drifting and steering.
When people commit together, something powerful happens. Momentum becomes shared. Standards rise. Results compound.
Success stops being accidental and starts being predictable.
Tools Only Work If You Use Them
Opportunities don’t matter if they sit unused.
Professional environments, systems, support, and expertise exist for a reason — to elevate conversations, sharpen credibility, and build confidence. When people step into the right space, their posture changes. Their clarity improves. Others listen differently.
That’s not coincidence. That’s psychology.
Preparation shows. Professionalism persuades.
The Satisfaction Comes After the Struggle
The real reward isn’t the result itself — it’s knowing what it took to get there.
Every failed attempt. Every wrong turn. Every moment of doubt that didn’t win. All of it becomes fuel once the outcome finally arrives.
That’s why the satisfaction lasts. You remember the work. You remember the persistence. And every time you see the result, it reminds you: I didn’t get lucky. I figured it out.
Make This the Year You Decide
No one figures it out by accident.
They decide to stop waiting. Stop hesitating. Stop outsourcing responsibility to circumstances. They choose to engage fully — today, not someday.
Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. But effort today is.
So make a plan. Build margin. Meet people. Have the conversations you signed up to have. Review your progress. Adjust. Keep going.
Because the people who win aren’t the ones who never struggle.
They’re the ones who refuse to stop figuring it out.
Disclaimer & Credit
The themes, ideas, and motivational insights were inspired by a talk delivered by Answer Issa, Owner and BrokerIn the real estate world, brokers are essential intermediaries who help buyers and sellers navigate property transaction... of Coldwell Banker Jamaica RealtyJamaica Realty represents the broad and evolving landscape of real estate services in Jamaica, encompassing the buying, .... the content has been deliberately restructured, reworded, and reimagined. Any examples used are illustrative rather than literal, and the narrative does not follow the original stories or wording.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and are intended for motivational and professional developmentIn Jamaica, the term "development" can refer to various contexts, each with its unique focus and implications. Real esta... purposes. They do not represent official statements, endorsements, or policies of any organisation.
Credit is respectfully given to Andrew Issa for the foundational ideas and inspiration that informed this piece.
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